James Oberstar: “H.R. 3913 amends a provision of the International Center Act (``ICA''), which established the authority for the U.S.…”

“H.R. 3913 amends a provision of the International Center Act (``ICA''), which established the authority for the U.S. Department of State to lease property in the District of Columbia to foreign governments or international organizations. The ICA (P.L. 90-553), passed by Congress in 1968, authorizes the Secretary of State ``to sell or lease to foreign governments and international organizations'' Federal property located in Northwest Washington, DC, off of Connecticut Avenue. The 47-acre parcel of land authorized by the bill offers space for new embassies, consulates, and international organizations and is commonly referred to as the International Center. Intelsat was formed in the 1960s as an international commercial cooperative of 142 countries that provided global telecommunications including television, telephone, and data transmission. Intelsat's headquarters are located in the International Center. In 2000, an act of Congress privatized Intelsat (P.L. 106-180). Since the ICA does not permit the U.S. State Department to lease space within the International Center to a private entity, Intelsat's lease no longer meets the requirements of the ICA. H.R. 3913 makes technical amendments to the ICA to permit Intelsat to continue its tenancy. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3913.”